The Allure and History of Collecting Morgan Silver Dollars

The Allure of Morgan Silver Dollar Money Clips

Morgan silver dollars hold a special place in the hearts of coin collectors and history buffs alike. Minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, the Morgan dollar is named after its designer, George T. Morgan. With its iconic design featuring Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, the Morgan silver dollar is one of the most famous and widely collected coins in American history.

It's no surprise, then, that Morgan silver dollars have been incorporated into money clips and other novelty items. A Morgan silver dollar money clip is the perfect accessory for any numismatist or lover of Americana. Not only are these money clips unique and eye-catching, they also allow you to keep a piece of history close at hand.

The Origins and Design of Morgan Silver Dollars

As America expanded westward following the Civil War, the need for silver coinage increased. In 1876, the Bland-Allison Act mandated large purchases of silver by the government to be minted into new silver dollars. This led to the creation of the Morgan silver dollar in 1878.

The obverse depicts a profile portrait of Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap, with the word "Liberty" inscribed above her portrait. Thirteen stars representing the original colonies surround Liberty. The reverse features an eagle with wings spread, perched on a bundle of arrows with an olive branch in its talons. The words "United States of America" and "One Dollar" frame the upper and lower periphery. 46,510,000 Morgan dollars were minted in the first year of production alone.

Morgan silver dollars continued to be produced until 1904 when the design was replaced by the Peace dollar. Due to public demand, the Morgan design returned for one final year in 1921 when it was replaced again by the Peace dollar. Rarer dates and mint marks like the 1893-S and 1895 make Morgan dollars highly desirable for collectors.

Why Morgan Silver Dollar Money Clips Are Popular

Here are some of the reasons why Morgan silver dollar money clips have become a popular accessory choice for many:

• Nostalgia - Morgan dollars recall the Wild West era and America's western expansion. For history lovers, carrying a Morgan dollar money clip evokes nostalgia for the late 19th century.
• Unique Design - The Morgan dollar is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful American coin designs. The profile portrait of Liberty and spread wing eagle make it visually striking.
• Silver Composition - Morgan dollars contain 90% silver, giving them an intrinsic value beyond their face value. Silver's shine adds to the clip's eye appeal.
• Conversation Piece - A Morgan dollar money clip serves as a great conversation starter for coin collectors. It shows others your appreciation for numismatics and American history.
• Affordability - Common date Morgan silver dollars in circulated condition remain affordable for many collectors. Cull, worn Morgans can be purchased inexpensively to make money clips.

Tips for Buying Morgan Silver Dollar Money Clips

If you're in the market for a Morgan silver dollar money clip, here are some tips to get the best clip for your money:

1. Look for clips made using authentic Morgan silver dollars if collectability is important to you.
2. Well-worn or damaged Morgans are fine for clips. You don't need uncirculated coins.
3. Pay attention to silver content. 90% silver Morgans are ideal, but clips made with lower purity silver exist.
4. Consider clip thickness. Thicker clips made from older Morgans withstand pressure better.
5. some clips let both sides of the Morgan be seen while others show only one side.
6. Handmade clips by artisans can provide quality and uniqueness but cost more.
7. mass produced cheaper clips sacrifice some durability but cost much less.

With both handmade and mass produced options available, Morgan silver dollar money clips can be found to fit most budgets. Just be sure to inspect clip quality, thickness, and silver content before purchasing.

Caring for Your Morgan Silver Dollar Money Clip

Follow these tips to get the longest use and enjoyment from a Morgan dollar money clip:

• Store the clip in a protective bag or case when not in use to prevent scratches.
• avoid exposing the clip to chemicals, perfumes or other substances that can cause silver to tarnish.
• Use a jeweler's polishing cloth to buff away tarnish and keep the Morgan shining.
• hang the clip up by a hook when not in use to avoid bending the clip.
• Clean gunk buildup in crevices with a soft toothbrush and mild soap.
• only carry bills in the clip, keeping change and keys in pockets to prevent nicks and scratches.

With periodic polishing and careful handling, a Morgan silver dollar money clip will last for many years as a cherished accessory. Minimal care helps preserve its shine and original historical elegance.

The Allure of Collecting Morgan Silver Dollars

Of all the coins produced by the U.S. Mint, few are as iconic and coveted as the Morgan silver dollar. Minted from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, the Morgan was the first standard silver dollar struck after the Coinage Act of 1873. With their distinctive design and 90% silver composition, Morgan dollars have an undeniable allure for collectors.

A Brief History of Morgan Silver Dollars

The Morgan dollar came about through the Bland-Allison Act, which required large quantities of silver purchased by the government to be minted into new silver dollars. George T. Morgan's ornate design was selected from a competition to fulfill this requirement.

When Morgan dollars were first released, they failed to circulate widely on the East Coast. Most were obtained by banks and exported overseas where silver commanded a higher price. This scarcity today makes high-grade examples challenging to locate, especially for key dates like the 1895.

After a 17-year hiatus, Morgan dollars were produced again in 1921 to alleviate a coin shortage before being replaced by the Peace dollar. Hundreds of millions were melted down over the years, making surviving coins more precious to collectors.

Reasons the Morgan Dollar Is So Collection-Worthy

Here are some of the reasons the Morgan dollar remains one of the most popular coins to collect:

• High Total Mintage - Over half a billion Morgan dollars were produced, yet many date/mintmark combinations are scarce.
• 90% Silver Content - Morgans contain 0.77 ounces of pure silver, giving them intrinsic value beyond face value.
• Large Size - The hefty 38.1 mm diameter provides an impressive canvas for the detailed designs.
• Beautiful Designs - Morgan's Liberty Head obverse and spread wing eagle reverse are artistic masterpieces.
• Historical Significance - As artifacts of America's Wild West and expansion era, Morgans appeal to history buffs.
• Many Varieties - Over 100 different date/mintmark combinations offer a fun challenge to complete a full set.

Building a Morgan Dollar Collection

Collecting Morgan dollars can quickly become addictive! Here are some tips for beginning your collection:

• Start with affordable common dates like 1882, 1883, or 1921 in mid-range circulated grades.
• Focus your collection on either just Philadelphia issues or one mint like San Francisco.
• cherrypick coins with attractive rainbow toning or other unique qualities.
• handle coins carefully to avoid fingerprints and clean only when necessary.
• acquire rare key date Morgans like 1893-S or 1895 as a long-term goal.
• read books and talk to other collectors to deepen your numismatic knowledge.

Building a high quality Morgan dollar collection requires patience and discipline. But the enjoyment of owning these historically significant silver coins is worth the effort for serious collectors.

Caring for Your Morgan Silver Dollar Collection

As one of the most widely collected vintage U.S. coin series, Morgan silver dollars require proper storage and handling. By understanding how to care for your Morgans, you can maintain their eye appeal and value as an important part of your collection.

How to Store Morgan Silver Dollars

Here are some tips on storage to protect your Morgan dollar investment:

• Avoid PVC plastics which can interact with silver over time.
• Archival quality mylar flips are ideal for protecting individual coins.
• For mint state coins, polypropylene or polyethylene capsules are recommended.
• Store coins in an acid-free cardboard holder or album.
• Keep coins in a cool, dry place away from heat and humidity.
• A safe or safety deposit box provides secure protection from theft or disasters.

Proper storage methods are essential for rare and valuable Morgan dollars, especially in higher mint state grades. Handle uncirculated coins by their edges and avoid fingerprints.

Cleaning Morgan Silver Dollars

When it comes to cleaning, less is more. Here are some cleaning tips for Morgan dollars:

• Avoid cleaning mint state Morgans which reduces their value.
• Only clean circulated Morgans showing heavy dirt or encrustation.
• Use gentle cleaning methods like immersion in olive oil or distilled water.
• Softly rub stubborn spots with a microfiber cloth soaked in distilled water.
• Patina and toning should be left undisturbed whenever possible.
• Harsh chemicals, abrasives, and ultrasonic cleaning can permanently damage coins.

In general, consult a professional coin dealer before attempting to clean valuable Morgan silver dollars. When done improperly, cleaning causes irreparable damage.

Handling and Displaying Morgan Dollars

• Hold coins carefully by the edges to avoid fingerprints on the surfaces.
• Use cotton gloves when handling uncirculated or proof specimens.
• Select high quality coin flips and holders when displaying Morgans.
• Display coins in an organized album or cabinet to showcase your collection.
• Rotate coins that are displayed long-term to prevent uneven toning.
• Apply museum wax sparingly to valuable coins in slabs before display.

With their impressive large size and delightful designs, Morgan dollars deserve to be displayed for maximum visual enjoyment. Just be sure to handle them with care and protect their surfaces from damage while on exhibit.

Caring for your Morgan silver dollars requires paying attention to how you store, handle and display them. But the rewards of owning these historically important coins are well worth the effort. Follow these tips, and your Morgan dollar collection will maintain its beauty and value for many years to come.

FAQs

What years were Morgan silver dollars minted?

Morgan silver dollars were minted from 1878 to 1904, and again in 1921. There were no Morgan dollars produced from 1905 to 1920.

What is a Morgan silver dollar worth?

Common date Morgan silver dollars in circulated condition are worth $25-50 depending on grade. Scarce dates like 1893-S can be worth thousands. Uncirculated Morgans also carry large premiums.

What mint marks can you find on Morgan dollars?

Morgan dollars have mint marks indicating their mint of origin. The mint marks are O (New Orleans), S (San Francisco), CC (Carson City), and D (Denver). Coins without a mint mark were struck in Philadelphia.

How much silver is in a Morgan dollar?

Morgan dollars contain 0.77344 ounces of 90% fine silver. This gives them an intrinsic bullion value in addition to their collector value.

What is the VAM on a Morgan dollar?

VAM refers to the book on Morgan and Peace dollar varieties by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis. VAM numbers describe specific die varieties found on Morgan dollars.